Qurbani comes from the word ‘Qurb’, which means closeness. It is a ritual practiced by Muslims on the occasion of Eid al-Adha to commemorate the great spirit of sacrifice and obedience by Hazrat Ibrahim (AS). While Qurbani is a sunnah and is highly encouraged by all Muslims schools of thought, according to the Hanafi school of jurisprudence, it is obligatory on all Muslims who can afford it. It is, however, clear from the Quran and Sunnah that Qurbani carries great spiritual rewards.

Why Is Qurbani Mandatory?

The Hanafi school of jurisprudence believes that qurbani is mandatory based on Quranic verses and Hadiths. The Quran states:

“So pray to your Lord and sacrifice [to Him alone].” (Surat Al-Kawthar, 108:2)

This verse is interpreted as a clear command and thus implies a clear obligation, according to the Hanafis. This is supported by another Hadith that urges believers to conduct Qurbani:

“It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Whoever can afford it, but does not offer a sacrifice, let him not come near our prayer place.” (Sunan Ibn Majah, 3123)

According to the Hanafis, the strong wording in the Hadith further cements qurbani as an obligation for those who can afford it. Other schools of jurisprudence have a slight disagreement on whether Qurbani is mandatory, but all of them agree that it is a highly desirable ritual that promises many spiritual rewards. According to the  Shafi‘i, Maliki, and Hanbali schools of jurisprudence, not practicing qurbani despite having the financial means is Makruh (disliked).

Who Must Practice Qurbani?

Adult Muslims who meet the Qurbani criteria must practice Qurbani. The person should be of sound mind and should have wealth equal to or greater than the Nisab value.  The Nisab value is equal to the current market value of 612 grams of silver. The wealth should be in possession of the person offering Qurbani during the 10th, 11th, or 12th of Dhul-Hijjah.

Virtues & Spiritual Rewards of Qurbani

Eid al-Adha is one of the most sacred days of the year for Muslims. It is a Day of rewards, and according to the following hadith, conducting Qurbani on Eid al-Adha earns great spiritual rewards:

“It was narrated from ’Aishah that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “The son of Adam does not do any deed on the Day of Sacrifice that is dearer to Allah than shedding blood. It will come on the Day of Resurrection with its horns and cloven hoofs and hair. Its blood is accepted by Allah before it reaches the ground. So be content when you do it.” (Sunan Ibn Majah, 3126)

Therefore, Qurbani isn’t only a ritual, but a great way of achieving Allah’s (SWT) closeness. The Quran tells us:

“Their meat will not reach Allah , nor will their blood, but what reaches Him is piety from you. Thus have We subjected them to you that you may glorify Allah for that [to] which He has guided you; and give good tidings to the doers of good.” (Surat Al-Ĥaj, 22:37)

Thus, Qurbani helps achieve Taqwa, and with it, closeness to Allah (SWT).

Qurbani Rules & Conditions

Islam gives complete guidelines on how Qurbani should be conducted. Larger animals such as cows and camels can entertain seven Qurbani shares, while smaller animals like sheep and goats represent one Qurbani share each. The goats and sheep must be one year old, the cows must be two years old, and the camels must be at least five years old. Moreover, the animals should be healthy and without defects. The Qurbani must be conducted after the Eid al-Adha prayers. Conducting Qurbani before the Eid prayers invalidates its status as Eid al-Adha Qurbani and becomes a Sadaqah.

The distribution of sacrificial meat is also an important duty. The spirit of Qurbani is to please Allah (SWT) and also to benefit the most deserving individuals and families. That’s why traditionally, Qurbani meat is divided into three portions: one for self-consumption, one for the neighbors and family, and the third is completely dedicated to helping needy people. However, you can completely donate your Qurbani to gain maximum spiritual benefits. Allah (SWT) loves generosity.  According to the following Hadith:

“Abu Hurayra reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, “The person who strives on behalf of the widows and poor is like those who strive in the way of Allah and like those who fast in the day and pray at night.”” (Al-Adab Al-Mufrad, 131)

Donate Your Qurbani to Transparent Hands

You can donate your Qurbani online to a trustworthy and Shariah-compliant organization like Transparent Hands to maximize the impact of your Qurbani. We are a crowdfunding organization that has provided medical assistance to thousands of needy patients in Pakistan since our inception in 2014. We have a widely impactful Maternal and Child program. We also support a wide range of surgeries, and we arrange regular medical camps in some of the most low-income regions of Pakistan.

We have an excellent Qurbani program that fully adheres to Shariah law and strictly follows hygienic standards. For the last two years, we reached out to the most deserving people for sacrificial meat distribution. We provided Qurbani meat to the most overlooked and underserved segments of society, including laborers, families residing in slums, elderly residents of nursing homes, transgender community, madrassa students, orphans, widows, and people with disabilities. By distributing Meat packages and gifts, we hope to make Eid Day special for many individuals and families who are usually forgotten on this great Day. For many of these people, Eid presents the only opportunity for consuming meat. This year, let’s reach more people than last year. Let’s reach out to more people than we did last year. Donate Your Qurbani now!

Reviewed by

Mufti M Zubair Nadeem

Shariah Consultant